THE LAST DAYS OF O'FARRELL.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 244, 13 May 1868, Page 3

THE LAST DAYS OF O'FARRELL.

(FROM TITE SYDNEY MORNING lIERALD APRIL 22.) Nothing could have been more be. coming, in a person situated as O'Favi'ell was, than the manner in

which he conducted himself ever since his arrest. He has given no trouble to the officers of the gaol nor to the Government, and he has carefully avoided doing or saying anything that could be construed into an application for a commutation of his sentence. It was suggested to him to make a written statement, and to deliver it into the hands of the Hon. E. Deas Thompson, Sir William Manning, or some other gentleman unconnected with party politics and the Government, and in whom the public have confidence ; but he persistently declined, on the ground that it would be regarded as an application for an extension of the time allotted to him to live. It was not until the afternoon of the day preceding his execution that he made any statement at all, and this he enclosed in a sealed envelope, with express instructions that it should not be opened until after his death. So far from being callous or insensible, O'Farrell was fully alive to the whole circumstances of his position, and he would have been glad to live, but bad

schooled himself to look upon bis death as inevitable, and as farpreferable to any kind of imprisonment. Naturally tboughbe was of anervous temperament he exhibited to all who visited him a cheerfulness of manner which generally appeared natural, and he conversed on a variety of topics as if nothing important was likely to happen to him. There was also a \ein of humor in his conversation, which cropped up whereever opportunity occurred. Occasionally, however, a close observer could detect an effort in his manner to be cheerful, as though his impending fate oppressed him. He was seen by few people after his conviction, and every order for admission to see him was issued with the condition, "if the prisoner has no objection intrusion upon his privacy. ]SToone,not even a Minister of the Crown, ventured to see him, unless invited by message from the prisoner himself. On Sunday last O'Farrell was visited by Archbishop Polding, who confirmed him in Melbourne in 1845,'andthe venerable|prelate

wasaeepiyaitectedatseemgoneonwhom he had performed the rite of the Church in the position in which the prisoner had placed himself. Dr. Polding paid him a final visit on Monday evening last. O'Farrell was also visited twice by Archdeacon M'Bnroe, by the Eev. Mr. O'Farrell, and by the Sisters of Charity almost every day. "With regard to the statement made by the culprit, we understand it was written on last Monday afternoon, and Mr Parkes, who was going through the gaol with Mr Palmer, Colonial Secretary for Queensland, was sent for by the prisoner, who offered to deliver the document inteo the hon, gentleman's hands. Mr Parkes suggested that it should come through a

magistrate, and this suggestion was adopted. The visiting magistrate (Mr Chatfield), who also happened to be in the gaol at the time, witnessed the document, saw it sealed, and then forwarded it to the Colonial Secretary. The document was addressed (in the prisoner's own hand-writing) to " The Hon. H. Parkes, Colonial Secretary, to be opened to-morrow, April 21, 1868." The envelope was opened in the presence of the inspector-general of police at about eleven o'clock yesterday morning. Touching the contents of this document, we are not in a position to lay a copy of it before our readers ; but we have good authority for stating that in it O'Farrell denied that he was connected with any person or organisation in his attempt to compass the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. "We also understand that it contaiued a statement to the effect that a shorte time prior to the attack he addressed communications to the conductors of two Irish publications, in which he mentioned his intended attack, and fully expected to carry out his purpose. Orally, the prisoner expressed a belief that in consequence of one of the persons to whom these communications were addressed having been convicted, the letter would be intercepted by the authorities, and would be in the hands of the Imperial i Government some time before the news of the attack upon his Eoyal ' Highness reached home. Eeferring again to his written statement, we have good reason fer believing tbat O'Farrell denied any connection with the Fenian organisation further than i this, that he sympathised with the movement and had contributed money i towards the object which its promoters • had in view. Doubtless the statement will ere long be published, when all i

that cau now bo known of the motives, which led O'Farrell to attempt such a diabolical deed will be made known.

We have only to say in conclusion that the corpse was removed from the gaol in the course of the afternoon, and buried at the Necropolis.